HomeWest coast warmly receives PLA Spring Symposium

Contact: Angela Thullen
PLA, Marketing Specialist
312-280-5023

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2007

West coast warmly receives PLA Spring Symposium

CHICAGO – More than 700 public librarians gathered in San Jose, Calif., March 1-3, for the Public Library Association’s (PLA) 2007 Spring Symposium. The biennial event included six day-and-a-half long workshops featuring PLA’s trademark high-quality continuing education programming, sold-out tours of San Jose’s public libraries and an Author Luncheon featuring best-selling author Po Bronson.

Though the event has traditionally been held in Chicago, PLA chose to hold this year’s Symposium on the west coast. “The Symposium was a great success,” said Susan Hildreth, PLA president and state librarian of California. “We were thrilled to have such an enthusiastic audience in San Jose.”

Mary Baykan, Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year 2007, kicked off the event at the Opening General Session with an encouraging and thought-provoking keynote address, reporting on her advocacy efforts on behalf of Maryland Library Association.  A podcast of Baykan’s remarks is available on the PLA Blog, www.plablog.org.

The Symposium workshops addressed topics of vital importance to public libraries, including customer service, buildings, literacy services, staffing trends and advocacy.  Attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and included such comments as: “PLA programs are never a disappointment,” “Great speakers and excellent presentation!” and “Presenters were engaging and energetic… I am excited about getting back to my library on Monday and getting started!”

Po Bronson, author of “What Should I Do with My Life,” a New York Times bestseller, addressed the Author Luncheon with a candid discussion of his work and the people he has encountered while doing research for his books.   Bronson has written for prominent publications such as the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time magazine, The Guardian, and National Public Radio's Morning Edition.

Students from San Jose State University contributed to the event by writing about the workshops for the PLA Blog.  A complete account of their experiences, along with podcasts of the Opening General Session, Author Luncheon featuring Po Bronson, and an impromptu wiki instructional workshop, can be found at the PLA Blog, www.plablog.org.

For more information on the PLA continuing education events, contact the PLA office at 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit PLA’s Web site at www.pla.org.  PLA is a division of the American Library Association.  PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services.